In the August issue of REDBOOK, cover girl Mariska Hargitay opens up about the terrifying injury she suffered on the set, her mother's tragic death, and the bonds and beliefs that helped her heal.

On the moment it happened...

On the moment it happened...

"I got up and felt that something inside was not quite right. At first I thought I had the wind knocked out of me. I was angry with myself. Later, I thought maybe I'd pulled a muscle, but I didn't focus on the injury and kept expecting it to get better."

On what's important to her...

On what's important to her...

"Having a child changes everything. All of a sudden you have so much to lose, so much to live for. Sometimes things in life happen that allow us to understand our priorities very clearly. Ultimately you can see those as gifts."